The Houston Cougars (29-2, 17-1 AAC) take on the East Carolina Pirates (16-16, 7-12 AAC) Friday at Dickies Arena in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. East Carolina defeated the South Florida Bulls 73-58 at Dickies Arena yesterday in the first round.
Jaden Walker was the key player with 22 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. Houston won their 11th in a row in a close one on Sunday at FedExForum, beating the Memphis Tigers 67-65 to close out their regular season. Tramon Mark had 16 points and eight rebounds, carrying the team.
Houston won the only game against East Carolina this season 76-57 at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on February 25. Marcus Sasser led the Cougars with 22 points, while J’Wan Roberts was a key contributor with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Ezra Ausar had 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
The Pirates have been led this season by RJ Felton and Brandon Johnson, who are averaging 14.0 and 12.1 points per game, respectively. Johnson also has grabbed 8.0 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, Javon Small is dishing 3.1 assists per game. Sasser (17.1 ppg) has powered the Cougars’ offense. Roberts is collecting 7.2 rebounds per game, and Jamal Shead is tallying 5.4 assists.
Holding opponents to 56.5 points per game, the Cougars are one of the best scoring defenses in the nation (2nd). In the last 10 games, East Carolina is 5-5 with an average margin of -3.1 (69.6-72.7).
Houston has won each of the last 10 amid the team’s 11-game win streak, scoring 77.3 points per game on average while holding opponents to 61.3 (+16.0 margin). The Cougars are averaging 76.0 ppg for the full season while allowing 56.5.
PIRATES HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Jaden Walker: 25.2 | 15.0 | +10.2
Javon Small: 0.0 | 14.7 | -14.7
Points per game:
Jaden Walker: 13.8 | 7.5 | +6.3
Javon Small: 0.0 | 8.9 | -8.9
Rebounds per game:
Jaden Walker: 6.4 | 4.5 | +1.9
Assists per game:
Jaden Walker: 5.0 | 3.0 | +2.0
Javon Small: 0.0 | 3.1 | -3.1
COUGARS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Ja’Vier Francis: 4.4 | 8.8 | -4.4
Points per game:
J’Wan Roberts: 14.0 | 10.5 | +3.5
Rebounds per game:
Jarace Walker: 8.6 | 6.5 | +2.1
Assists per game:
Jamal Shead: 3.8 | 5.4 | -1.6
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Houston -22.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
